Good evening gentlemen,
This afternoon, I did not work. So, having taken possession of the latest addition to my gun safe two awfully long weeks ago, I ceased the opportunity to hit the road and went to the store to buy some ammo on my way to the range. 65$ later, I was all set. I had already purchased a case of target load on my previous stop at the shop, when I went to buy a twelve gauge brush for the first cleaning of my new gun. No, I did not have one for that size before, because I did not have a twelve gauge before!
Having been a rifle shooter for some time, I got interested in the twelve gauge shotgun for its versatility (hunting is something I enjoy very much). My modest income pushed me towards that option when I looked for something new where to spend that hard earned money. Sure, a new barrel in .270 for my Encore would have been cool, but it is another tool for another use, which is already well covered by a .270 BAR and a .30-06 Gamemaster.
So I began to read about shotguns. A whole new world unveiled to me. Some are beautiful works of art (did you look at the 725 Citori grade V?), some are quite ugly, some shoot better than others, gauge choice, choke choice, ammo choice; lots of new stuff to learn. I like to learn.
I also like new stuff. And I know I will someday inherit some legendary guns (Superposed and other nice and good older guns) my father owns, not too soon if at all possible.
From all I have read here, with regards to my intended uses, I should have bought a used 870 Wingmaster with a modified choke and call it a day. But why listen to old wise men when I can still say I am young and live my own experiences (I already hear some of you whispering mistakes... TSS!).
So, I read, and read, and read some more about shotguns. Reviews, forums, magazines. With a certain budget in mind.
I bought a twelve gauge shotgun without ever having fired one before. I know, not recommended. Please keep in mind that the gun culture up here is rather an anti-gun culture. You can easily borrow a car, but not a gun. And do not mention my Dad's guns. He is a nice and decent man, but he cherishes his guns enough for not to let them in my possession when he is not around.
But I digress. I went to the range and shot the gun and I had fun doing it. At the store on the way there, I bought some slugs and buckshot to compliment the target shot I already had on hand.
I first fired twenty 2 3/4 slugs with it. I was impressed by its consistency doing so. It grouped pretty well. The first three shots at thirty yards touched each other. Well centered, approximately three inches high. The first five shots at 50 yards touched each other. All of them horizontally centered, approximately six inches high. This shooting was done with only the front bead for a sight. There is a shallow depression in the centre of the receiver which I used as a rear sight, kind of.
Having read all sorts of horrors about inherent inaccuracy of shotguns with smooth bore such as mine when firing slugs, I am very pleasantly surprised. I will go forward with my idea of scoping the said gun.
I then continued shooting slugs. Twenty rounds. Did I develop a flinch or did the gun heat to the point where it became less accurate? I would say both, maybe fatigue was the most important factor. These slugs do kick.
But they kick nothing like the other stuff I then tried. One box of 2 3/4" twelve pellets magnum 00 buck, one box of 3" fifteen pellets 00 buck and one box of 3" 000 buck. Those all hurt.
Then, to finish the function test of the shotgun, I shot 25 rounds of 2 3/4" 7 1/2 target load (low brass, as opposed to all of the above, which were high brass). At that point, even that hurt, but a lot less than the buckshot. I shall stick to that and the slugs from now on, or until I find something else, with way less kick in the buckshot department.
I am pleased with my new shotgun. I think I will have a lot of fun with it. I believe it will make a great hunting weapon.
My shoulder hurts
This afternoon, I did not work. So, having taken possession of the latest addition to my gun safe two awfully long weeks ago, I ceased the opportunity to hit the road and went to the store to buy some ammo on my way to the range. 65$ later, I was all set. I had already purchased a case of target load on my previous stop at the shop, when I went to buy a twelve gauge brush for the first cleaning of my new gun. No, I did not have one for that size before, because I did not have a twelve gauge before!
Having been a rifle shooter for some time, I got interested in the twelve gauge shotgun for its versatility (hunting is something I enjoy very much). My modest income pushed me towards that option when I looked for something new where to spend that hard earned money. Sure, a new barrel in .270 for my Encore would have been cool, but it is another tool for another use, which is already well covered by a .270 BAR and a .30-06 Gamemaster.
So I began to read about shotguns. A whole new world unveiled to me. Some are beautiful works of art (did you look at the 725 Citori grade V?), some are quite ugly, some shoot better than others, gauge choice, choke choice, ammo choice; lots of new stuff to learn. I like to learn.
I also like new stuff. And I know I will someday inherit some legendary guns (Superposed and other nice and good older guns) my father owns, not too soon if at all possible.
From all I have read here, with regards to my intended uses, I should have bought a used 870 Wingmaster with a modified choke and call it a day. But why listen to old wise men when I can still say I am young and live my own experiences (I already hear some of you whispering mistakes... TSS!).
So, I read, and read, and read some more about shotguns. Reviews, forums, magazines. With a certain budget in mind.
I bought a twelve gauge shotgun without ever having fired one before. I know, not recommended. Please keep in mind that the gun culture up here is rather an anti-gun culture. You can easily borrow a car, but not a gun. And do not mention my Dad's guns. He is a nice and decent man, but he cherishes his guns enough for not to let them in my possession when he is not around.
But I digress. I went to the range and shot the gun and I had fun doing it. At the store on the way there, I bought some slugs and buckshot to compliment the target shot I already had on hand.
I first fired twenty 2 3/4 slugs with it. I was impressed by its consistency doing so. It grouped pretty well. The first three shots at thirty yards touched each other. Well centered, approximately three inches high. The first five shots at 50 yards touched each other. All of them horizontally centered, approximately six inches high. This shooting was done with only the front bead for a sight. There is a shallow depression in the centre of the receiver which I used as a rear sight, kind of.
Having read all sorts of horrors about inherent inaccuracy of shotguns with smooth bore such as mine when firing slugs, I am very pleasantly surprised. I will go forward with my idea of scoping the said gun.
I then continued shooting slugs. Twenty rounds. Did I develop a flinch or did the gun heat to the point where it became less accurate? I would say both, maybe fatigue was the most important factor. These slugs do kick.
But they kick nothing like the other stuff I then tried. One box of 2 3/4" twelve pellets magnum 00 buck, one box of 3" fifteen pellets 00 buck and one box of 3" 000 buck. Those all hurt.
Then, to finish the function test of the shotgun, I shot 25 rounds of 2 3/4" 7 1/2 target load (low brass, as opposed to all of the above, which were high brass). At that point, even that hurt, but a lot less than the buckshot. I shall stick to that and the slugs from now on, or until I find something else, with way less kick in the buckshot department.
I am pleased with my new shotgun. I think I will have a lot of fun with it. I believe it will make a great hunting weapon.
My shoulder hurts
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